Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Zack Wentz
Observation Date:
February 21, 2021
Submitted:
February 21, 2021
Zone or Region:
West North
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Swift Creek and Surrounding Area

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Widespread
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

Avalanche Obs: No new avalanches observed.

Snowpack Obs: 10-15cms of 4F- storm snow sits atop approx. 10cms of F hardness snow. Below the F hardness snow, there is a gradual increase in density until approx. 51cms where the Feb. 11th MF/cr interface is found. Numerous hand shears saw sudden planar results down approx. 21cms on storm interfaces and 10cms on storm interfaces, as well as down 51cms. Results from our snow profile immediately above Swift Creek on a NE aspect at treeline is as follows:
-CTE2SP down 15cms on storm interface
-CTM12RP down 20cms on storm interface
-CTH22SP down 51cms on Feb. 11th interface
-ECTN16 down 51cms on Feb. 11th interface

Weather Obs: Cloudy and stormy. Temps stayed cool, hovering around 30-32F all day at elevation of Grandma’s House. Precip: S1; winds: M from the SW

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Storm Slab
Comments: 
Observed location: Widespread
Potential Size: Up to D2
Likelihood of triggering: Likely by a human
Layer depth: Storm interface down 20cms
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